South Africa have shown admirable character and resolve to make it through to the knockout stages of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025.
Their group stage was bookended by batting collapses, the Proteas folding to 69 all out against England before being dismissed for 97 by an Alana King-inspired Australia.
Between those matches, however, South Africa found their groove by winning five matches on the trot.
A three-wicket win over hosts India was particularly impressive, Nadine de Klerk blasting an unbeaten 84 from 54 balls to inspire a brilliant recovery, while Nonkululeko Mlaba and Tazmin Brits came to the fore in a vital victory over New Zealand.
Key moment
The first ball of that match against the White Ferns has to be up there.
The pressure was on the Proteas after their dismal start against England, particularly in a match against another side harbouring semi-final ambitions of their own.
With that in mind, Marizanne Kapp striking the pads of Suzie Bates to send her back to the pavilion for a golden duck was particularly well-timed.
Mlaba kept the momentum going with four wickets before Brits struck her fifth ODI century of 2025, the first woman to do so, to complete a perfect response and set South Africa on their way.
Top performers
Left-arm spinner Mlaba has thrived in sub-continental conditions, with 11 wickets at 18.90, to build on her hugely impressive performance at last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Laura Wolvaardt recovered from a slow start to become a picture of consistency, with three half-centuries in five innings at the top of the order, while Kapp has been typically valuable with bat and ball.
It has been feast or famine for Brits, who has recorded three ducks and two single figure scores to go alongside her century against New Zealand and 55 not out against Sri Lanka.
History against semi-final opponent
South Africa have a point to prove against England and they are aware they need to reverse the recent tide if they are to make it to their first ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final.
England have denied them at the semi-final stage at each of the last two 50-over World Cups, in 2017 and 2022, and the Proteas will not need reminding of their meek display against Charlotte Edwards’ side in this year’s group stage.
Amy Jones and Tammy Beaumont needed fewer than 15 overs to knock off the runs required in a 10-wicket triumph – South Africa will surely put up a better fight this time around but have won just one of their last eight ODIs against England.
Popeye Wipeout
Chris Gayle is the only batsman to hit a six off the first ball of a Test match – In the 137 years of Test cricket no cricketer has ever hit a six off the first ball of a Test match. Audacious Chris Gayle achieved this feat against Bangladesh in 2012 off debutant Sohag Gazi.
Steel Ginger
The Rugby World Cup is held every four years and is the premier international rugby union competition. The inaugural tournament took place in 1987, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. Since then, the competition has grown significantly in size and popularity.